Automatic changeover control



Jan. 16, 1934. J. F. CORY AUTOMATIC CHANGEOVER CONTROL Original FiledNov. 50, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l /I///I///I///////A Z4 v//////////////////l uwx ATTORNEY Jan. 16, J. CORY 1,943,950

AUTOMAT I C CHANGEOVER CONTROL Original Filed Nov. 50, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR A TTORNE Y Patented Jan. 16, 1934 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE Renewal of application Serial No. 410,670, November30, 1929.- This application March 3, 1933.

Serial No. 659,580

Claims. (Cl. 88-l7) This application is a renewal of my application) No.410,670 filed Nov. 30, 1929, and allowed April 10, 1932.

My invention relates to automatic changeover 5 control for motionpicture projectors.

The objects of my invention are to provide a device of this class whichis new, novel, practical and of utility; which will be applied to eachof'a pair of motion picture projectors; which will [3 operate uponelectric current; which will auto matically set in motion the motor ofthe idle projector, and in timed relation to such action will thereaftersimultaneously and automatically close the shutter of the activeprojector and open 5 the shutter of the projector just becoming active;which may be adjustably set to allowthe motor of the idle projector toattain its full speed before the projector shutter opens; which may beadjustably set with regard to the pictures upon the final end of therunning film and those upon the initial end of the film about to be run,so that when the changeover is made there will be no break in thecontinuity of the picture; a device which may be applied to motionpicture projectors now in use or which. may be built into new machines;which will be relatively inexpensive, simple, and durable; which will bepositive in action; which will be particularly efiectlve in use withsound producing films; which will release the operator for otherimportant duties; which will be efiicient in accomplishing all of thepurposes for which it is intended.

It is usual in the operation of motion picture projectors to have twinmachines which are in active operation alternately. While one of themachines is' running film the other is prepared for instant use. In thisoperation it is customary for the machine operator to closely scan therunning picture and as the latter approaches its end, at a pointindicated by the picture cue-sheet the operator sets in motion the motorof the idle machine Then, an instant later, when the motor has attainedits full speed, the operator throws the usual switch which electricallycloses the projector shutter of the first machine and simultaneouslyopens the shutter of the second machine. It will be apparent that thecontinuity of the picture the idle machine, will allow' timev for itsattainingfull speed, and will then simultaneously close the shutter ofthe first machine and open the shutter of the second machine. Theseautomatic operations will be timed and initiated by the running films.

With these and other objects in view as will more fully appear, myinvention consists in the construction, novel features, and combinationof parts hereinafter more fully described, pointed out'in the claimshereto appended, and illustrated in the accompanying two-sheet drawing,of which,

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a film reel with theautomatic film trip for the changeover switch, disposed thereon;

Fig. 2 is a sectional'elevational' view of the automatic changeoverswitch, disposed upon a fragmentary section of a film magazine;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view of a film magazine, my automaticchangeover switch dis- 76 posed therein, and a reel embodying myautomatic' trip, therewithin;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a usual motion picture projectionmachine, showing the actuating arm of my changeover switch disposedwithin 80 the upper film magazine;

Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevational view of the shutter and motortiming control, and its hous- 111g;

7 Fig. 6 is a front elevational view, partly in section; of a portion ofthe shutter and motor tim-- ing control, and, v

Fig. 7- is a schematic view of the electrical wiring for the device.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in all the figures.

It is understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size,shape, weight and other details of construction, within the scope of myinvention, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andbroad principles of my invention and without sacrificing any of theadvantages thereof; and it is also understood that the drawings areto beinterpreted as being illustrative and not restrictive.

One practical embodiment of the invention as illustrated irr'thedrawings comprises:

For each one of a'plurality of projection machines, the following:

A usual film reel 1, having upon its hub plate 2' my automatictripmember 3. Said member 3 comprises a fiat, thin plate 4 which isrigidly attached to the said hub plate 2 by a screw 5. The said plate 4extends radially as to the axis of the said hub plate, and its free endportion is turned revolutely to provide a bearing 6 for the hinge pin'7. The central portion 8 or the said revolute end 6 is cut and bentoutwardly at right angles to said plate 4 to form a stop 9. Within therecessed portion 8 and pivoted upon the pin 7 is seated a bearing 11.Rigidly disposed upon the bearing 11, at right angles to each other arearms 12 and 13. A coil spring 14 encircles the extending end portion ofthe hinge pin 7, has one of its ends anchored to the said screw 5 andits other end is fastened to the extending end portion of the said arm13. By means of spring 14 the arm 12 is normally held in alinement withthose spokes 15 which radiate from said hub plate 2. In this positionthe arm 13 is at rest upon the stop 9, and extends outward laterally asto the face of the said plate 4. In the use of that part of my devicedescribed above and best illustrated in Figure 1, the winding of thefirst few turns of the film upon the drum of the reel 1, will beaccomplished with the arm 12 unstanding from said drum. The arm 12 willthen be depressed manually to lie fiat upon the last made turn of saidfilm. In this position of arm 12 the arm 13 will aline with the saidspokes 15. It will be obvious that the said arms 12 and 13 will be heldin their respective positions while the reel is being filled with theresidue of film, and will so continue, whilethe said film is being runthrough the projecting machine, until such time as the film has been runfrom the reel to the turn of the film which contacts the top of the saidarm 12. When this turn of the film is removed, the arm 12, actuated bythe spring 14 will lift from the remaining turns of film upon the reel;by the same movement the arm 13 will assume its normal position lateralto said plate 4, and as so extended will be in a position to trip thechangeover switch 40 10 yet to be described.

The said changeover switch 10 comprises a box housing 16 and a cover 17adapted to fit evenly and firmly thereupon. Said housing 16 is centrallyand threadedly disposed upon an externally threaded and flanged member18 which passes loosely through a perforation shown as 19 in the sidewall 20 of the usual film magazine 21. Said member 18 is held to thewall 26 by the threaded nuts respectively 22 and 23. Axially said member18 is provided with a bore through which extends the shaft 24. Rigidlybut removably afiixed to the extending end of the shaft 24, and lateralthereto is the trip arm 25. Said trip arm is so positioned within thesaid magazine as to be tripped by the arm 13 of the automatic tripmember 3 when arm 13 is in its free and extended position. Integralwith, or rigidly fixed to the end of the said shaft 24, within thehousing 16 is the cup shaped member 26 which has its peripheral edgeportion notched as is shown at 27. The notch 27 is adapted to fullyseat, when the switch 10 is open, the beveled and insulated lug 28,outstanding from the contact arm 29. The said lug 28 is adapted to beslipped partially from the notch 27, during a partial rotation of thecup 26, which is caused by the tripping of said arm 25. This action ofthe lug 28 will cause the contact point 30 on said arm 29 to make amomentary contact with the contact point 31 upon the arm 32. When triparm 13 has passed on beyond trip arm 25, the latter will immediatelyassume its upright position, due to the pressure of the spring contactarm 29, causing lug 28 to co-act with the bevel of notch 27. Additionalspring means to secure this result may be supplied if desired. Said arms29 and 32 are secured in a usual insulated manner to the switch cover1'7, and are rovided, respectively, with the insulated wires 33 and 34.The wire 33 leads to the automatic timing control 35, best shown inFigure 5 and Figure 6, while wire 34 is connected to a source ofelectric energy.

The automatic timing control 35 is provided with a box housing 36 havinga suitable removable cover 37, and is adapted by the plurality of screws38 for disposal in any convenient place upon or adjacent to theprojecting machines. The function of this device is to receiveelectrical current through the said wire 33 from the automaticallyoperated switch 10, and to instantly close a switch upon the return fromthe motor of the idle projector, and at a timed interval thereafter toclose a switch which simultaneously opens the projection shutter of theidle machine and closes the shutter of the running machine. Within thesaid housing 36 is a toothed gear wheel 39 which has a relatively largeoffset central portion 40. Integral with the said portion 40 is anextending hub 41 which is axially bored for the passage therethrough ofthe axle 42. Axle 42 is forwardly passed through the rear wall of thesaid housing 36 and is pro vided with a countersunk head 43. Gear 39 isheld upon the said axle 41 by the nut 44. For actuating said gear 39 Iprovide a usual clock spring 45, its revolute outer end 46 anchored tothe rear wall of said housing 36 by a usual screw 47. The central turnof the clock spring is rigidly fastened to the face of the said hub 41in an usual manner.

Upon the face of said central offset portion 40 I provide a cam plate48, the curved outer edge of which normally extends somewhat beyond theperiphery of the said offset portion 40. The cam 48 is provided with aplurality of slots shown as 49 through which pass the screws 50 whichhold said plate slidably to said member 40. Cam 48 is provided with anextending handle 51 which is rotally free upon the handle pin 52. Thehandle 51 extends externally as to the said housing cover 37 and thelatter is provided with a curved or arcuate slot shown as 53, throughwhich the said handle pin 52 moves in an are, for the partial rotationof the gear wheel 39. The slots 49 provide a means for permitting thesaid handle 51 to withdraw said cam plate 48 to a position in which itsouter edge will aline with the periphery of the oifset member 40. Forholding said cam plate 48 in its extended position is provided thespring 54, one end of which is held upon the face of said member 40 bythe screw 55.

Below the gear 39 and meshing therewith is a pinion 56, which is adaptedto rotate upon the axle pin 5'7. The pin 57 enters through the rear wallof the housing 36, is provided therein with a set collar 58 and at itsopposite end portion is threadedly provided with the governorcontrolhead 59. Between the set collar 58 and the pinion 56, a spiralcompression spring 60 encircles said axle 5'7. oppositely upon axle 57is disposed a usual adjustable speed governor 61, for the said gear 39.

Within the said housing 36 and adjacent to the gear 39 is disposed theelectromagnct 62, having a base 63. Arising from a side of said base 63and insulated from magnet 62 is an arm 64, through the upper portion ofwhich threadedly extends a contact rod 65. External to arm 64 the rod 65is provided with a thumb nut 66, and is marrow connected with a returnwire 6'7 leadingifrom a motor 68'. At its opposite end the rod isprovided with a contact point 69. Arising from the said base 63 at theside opposite the arm 64', is a flexible spring arm '70. The upperportion of arm '70 is provided with a projecting contact point '71,adjacent to said point 69', but normal- 1y not in contact therewith.Opposite said point '71 upon the arm '70 extends a lug '72, adapted torest, normally, in the recess shown as '73 within the-periphery of themember 40. The upper and central portion of the arm '70 is provided witha bar '14 of soft iron or the like, adapted to be drawn into contactwith the said magnet 62 when the latter is energized. It will beunderstood that when the said bar '74 is drawn to contact the a suitablerigid support '76, a pair of parallel spring, contact arms shownrespectively as '77 and '78. Said arm '78 is flexible and is providedupon its upper end portion with a lug '79, similar to thesaid lug '72.Lug '79 normally extends to a point adjacent the periphery of the saidmember 40', but is adapted. to be forced backward by its contact withthe curved peripheral edge of the said cam 48, when the latter reaches adesired position in its said partial rotation with the gear wheel 89.The lug '79 is also adapted, after the passage thereby of the said cam48- to drop backv to its normal position. At their lower end portions,said contact arms '77 and '78 are connected in any usual manner to therespective wires 82' and 83'.

In. the description of the operation of my device, it will be assumedthat the twin projection machines, not shown, but which are referred torespectively as A and B, are as usual equipped with shutters which areshown respectively as 85 and 86, and which are adapted to be opened andclosed by electro-magnet means. It will further be assumed that theseunits, together with the various members of my invention will have beenproperly connected with the wiring system, as shown in Figure '7, inwhich the numeral 8'7 indicates the live feed line, from a source ofsupply, not shown, and the numeral 88 indicates the return line of same.It will be obvious that any desired number of manually operatedswitches, not shown, may be disposed upon the wiring system at desiredpoints.

In the preparation of said projectors A and B for operation it will beassumed, that as previously described, the film for same will have beenrun upon the respective reels with due regard to the proper placement ofthe said respective arms 12 between two of the first few turns of filmupon each reel.

sufhcient to open the projector shutter 85, of

machine A. The said hand switch 89 will remain closed during the firstcontinuous run of film upon said machine A.

When the film upon the reel 1 of machine A reaches the point near itsend at which the said arm 12 is released to the action of said spring14, arm 12 will spring into alinement with the reel spokes 15, the arm13 will bethrown into its extended position, and, rotating with said hubplate 2, will trip the arm 25 of the automatic switch which is shown as10 in Figures 2 and 3, but which in Figure '7 is shown as 10a because ofits association with machine A. It is to be understood that the saidswitch 10a is closed for an instant, only, but its instant contact issufficient to form the connections as shown in Figures '7' to energizethe said magnet 62 which is associated with machine B and with its motor84. The magnet 62 attracts to itself the arm and closes the contacts '71and 69, shown in the lower part of Figure '7, thus completing thecircuit necessary for the operation of said motor 84. By the samemovement of the arm '70, the said member 40 and gear 39 are released tothe action of the clock spring 45. The member 40 performs a partialrotation, counter-clockwise, until stopped by the contact of itsperipheral lug 93 with the pinion 56. In this movement the cam 48 willhave co-acted with the lug '79 to close the contact points and 81. Thecircuit thus closed will open the shutter 86 of machine B and willsimultaneously close the shutter of machine A. As previously described,the interval required for the movement through its arc of the said cam48, may be adjustably timed by means of the governor 61, and will besuch as to allow the motor 84 to attain its full speed before theopening of shutter 86. Machine B will now be in full operation, at whichtime the said switch 89' of machine A will be opened, disconnectingmotor 68. It isto be understood that said hand switches respectively 89,90, 91 and 92, are provided, primarily for use in starting and inoperating a desired one of the machines A and B for the initial run ofthe performance or show, and that thereafter, so long as the machines Aand B are alternately in continuous operation, said switches will remainopen, each changeover which follows being accomplished whollyautomatically.

When machine B nears the completion of its run of film, its switch 10bwill be operated, in the manner previously described as the operation ofswitch 10a. Motor 68 will automatically be started, shutter 86 willthereafter be closed and simultaneously with its closing, shutter 85 ofmachine A will be opened. Motor 84 will continue to operate until thesaid cam 48 will have been manually returned to its original position,as shown in Figure 6, by means of the said handle 51. In this positionthe arm '70 will spring back, with lug '72 in recess '73, contactbetween points 69 and 71 will be broken, and motor 84 will stop.

In the manner described each machine at the close of its film run willautomatically set in operation its associate machine.

In manually resetting said member 35, the outer edge of cam 48 will bedrawn into alinement with the periphery of said member 40, by handle 51so that in the clockwise movement of said member 40 the said cam 48 willnot contact the lug 79, and cause a contact of the points 80 and 81.

Obviously, the invention is susceptible of embodiment in forms otherthan that which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings anddescribed herein, and applicable for uses and purposes other than asdetailed, and I therefore consider as my own all such modifications andadaptations and other uses of the form of the device other than asdescribed as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an automatic changeover control for companion motion pictureprojecting machines the combination with a peripherally toothed, springactuated wheel, means contacting the teeth of said wheel for governingthe speed of its rotation, means for releasing said wheel to therotational action of its spring simultaneously with the closing of amotor starting switch of one machine, said wheel having a peripheral oustanding lug for contacting said governing means and stopping itsrotation, a circular outstanding central portion upon the face of saidwheel, a plate flatly and slidably mounted adjacent the periphery ofsaid outstanding portion, a shutter control switch adjacent said wheel,said plate spring actuated to normally extend beyond said periphery andto contact and close said shutter control switch upon the partialrotation of said wheel for simultaneously opening the shutter of .onemachine and closing the shutter of the other machine, said plate havingan outstanding handle for manually resetting said wheel, said platearranged to recede within the periphery of said outstanding portion assaid wheel is being reset,

,of means for automatically actuating said motor .the means forautomatically actuating the said motor starting switch comprises anL-shaped member having two perpendicular sides, said member pivoted atthe point of junction of said sides upon the reel drum, one of saidsides adapted to be retained between desired windings of a film roll,and to be spring actuated to cause the other of said sides to trip saidmotor starting switch when the film is unwound.

3. In automatic changeover control for companion motion pictureprojecting machines, the combination with means for starting the drivingmotor of one machine when a predetermined amount of film has been runofi the other machine, of a shutter control mechanism comprising aperipherially toothed, rotatably mounted, spring actuated wheel having aspeed governing means engaging its teeth, electrically operated meansfor releasing said Wheel to the rotational action of its springsimultaneously with the starting 01' said motor, a shutter controlswitch mounted adjacent said wheel for simultaneously opening theshutter of one machine and closing the shutter of the other, meanscarried by said wheel for closing said shutter control switch after thewheel has rotated to a desired point, the last above means adapted tohold said shutter control switch closed for a given period of time andto then open it, means for stopping the rotation of said wheel at adesired point, and means for resetting said wheel without again closingsaid shutter control switch.

4. Organization as described in claim 3, in which said wheel stoppingmeans comprises a lug for contacting the governing means when the wheelhas reached a desired point of rotation.

5. Organization as described in claim 3, in which said shutter controlswitch closing means comprises a circular outstanding central portionfirmly attached to said wheel, a plate flatly mounted on said portionadjacent its periphery, said plate spring actuated to normally extendbeyond the periphery of said portion and to contact and close saidshutter control switch upon the partial rotation of said wheel.

JOSEPH F. CORY.

